in romney's sessions president obama will be played by ohio senator rob portman who was on romney's short list for vice president. on stage with the president will be massachusetts senator john kerry who will play romney. kerry and romney knew each other well when romney was governor of massachusetts both campaigns are desperately trying to lower expectations. in a memo leaked to the press a top romney adviser called the president one of the most talented political communicators in modern history and noted the president has engaged in eighty-one-on-one presidential debates while this is romney's first. the obama campaign is also down playing expectations. they say he hasn't had enough time to prepare for the debate because he's been so busy as president dealing with a series of crises in the middle east. >> chip reid in boston. thanks. >>> for more on campaign 2012, we turn to jonathan allen, a senior political correspondent from politico. jonathan, good morning to you. >> good morning, rebecca. >> i want to begin where chip left off. the president's advisors say he's been so busy dealing